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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The annual observance of Mental Health Month in May |
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serves as an opportunity to bring about greater public |
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understanding of mental health issues and to promote treatment, |
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care, and support for those living with mental illness; and |
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WHEREAS, A mental illness is a medical condition that |
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disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, interpersonal |
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relationships, and, in the most serious cases, their ability to |
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carry out the essential tasks of daily life; and |
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WHEREAS, Every year, approximately 42.5 million American |
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adults, comprising slightly over 18 percent of the total adult |
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population, suffer from some form of mental illness, such as |
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depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia; in Texas, one in |
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every five adults will experience a mental health concern at some |
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point in a given year, and more than 20 percent of children between |
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the ages of 9 and 17 have a diagnosed mental illness; and |
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WHEREAS, Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, |
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race, religion, or income and are not the result of personal |
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weakness or lack of character; many individuals with mental health |
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disorders experience feelings of alienation from their peers |
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because of their condition, and there remains a strong stigma |
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attached to mental illness that can result in discrimination, |
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including from families, friends, employers, and others; mental |
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health problems can impact a person's quality of life in numerous |
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ways, and severe, untreated cases are associated with a higher risk |
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of suicide; and |
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WHEREAS, Innovations and advancements in mental health care, |
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ranging from medications and therapy to various support services, |
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have helped make recovery a reality for countless people; outcomes |
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are shown to be greatly improved when patients are engaged and |
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involved in their own care and when they receive acceptance and |
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encouragement from loved ones and peers; and |
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WHEREAS, Increased public awareness, support, and advocacy |
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are key to improving issues related to mental illness, and all |
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Texans are encouraged to affirm their commitment to these important |
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efforts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate May as Mental Health Month; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |